Pat Nabong and Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times

Evidence still being processed in the case could potentially lead to charges against two alleged members of the Body Snatchers, sources said.

An investigation into a brazen and deadly shootout in Austin described as being “like the wild west” is still continuing despite charges in the case initially having been rejected by Cook County prosecutors.

That rejection earlier this month spurred a public feud between State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Mayor Lori Lightfoot last week, with Lightfoot saying the city could descend into “chaos” if Foxx didn’t hold the suspects accountable and revealing she had reached out to federal prosecutors to go around the state’s attorney’s office for charges.

Foxx responded that she was “mortified” that Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, discussed the case publicly and said Lightfoot wasn’t telling the truth about the strength of the evidence detectives brought to her office.

Little was accomplished during a private meeting last week between Lightfoot, Foxx, Police Supt. David Brown and Chief of Detectives Brian Deenihan, except possibly a halt to the public back-and-forth between the two women.

A spokesman for U.S. Attorney John Lausch confirmed earlier this week that the mayor had called about the shooting but declined to comment further. However, no one from the U.S attorney’s office has reached out to the county, sources in the state’s attorney’s office said, who added they believed it was unlikely federal officials would take on the case.

Foxx’s office has faced criticism multiple times in recent months for rejecting charges in high-profile cases, including the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Manuel Porties in Schaumburg and separate Northwest Side shootings that killed 19-year-old National Guard member Chris Carvajal and 7-year-old Serenity Broughton.

Serenity’s case made headlines after police were so frustrated by Foxx’s office, they filed charges against a suspect themselves. But hours later top police officials reversed course and had a judge rescind them.

On Wednesday, prosecutors filed murder charges against the original suspect, Aireon Luster, who was ordered held without bail Thursday.

As in some of the previous cases, prosecutors said there wasn’t enough evidence to take the Austin shootout to court. But in that case, police brass and prosecutors were in agreement that the murder and attempted murder charges sought by detectives wouldn’t stick — and told the mayor so at the meeting, a source familiar with what transpired said.

“Everyone shared with the mayor that there is no evidence that was presented to the state’s attorney that allows for charging — even a gun possession charge,” the source said.

“The state’s attorney turned to Brown and said, ‘Superintendent, could I charge on this case?’ Brown said, ‘No.’ She turned to Deenihan [and said], ‘Could I charge on this case?’ And Deenihan said, ‘No,'” the source said.

Sources said Lightfoot appeared to not have been “fully informed” about aspects of the investigation and “made assumptions” based on information that leaked to the media after the case rejection.

Foxx was clearly frustrated with the mayor during the meeting and accused Lightfoot of repeatedly making false statements about the case, including that police could tell from the video who shot first, sources said.

After the meeting the two women issued separate statements pledging to work together to reduce violence. The mayor’s office declined to comment further on the meeting this week.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Chicago police respond to the shooting Oct. 1 in the 1200 block of North Mason.

The gunfight happened the morning of Oct. 1 when two Dodge Chargers driven by members of the Body Snatchers faction of the Four Corner Hustlers drove to the 1200 block of North Mason Avenue and exchanged words with members of the gang’s Jack Boys set, the Sun-Times previously reported. That led to an exchange of gunfire.

A 32-year-old member of the body Snatchers faction was left dead and two others involved were wounded. Police recovered more than 70 shell casings in the block.

While the melee was partially captured by a police POD surveillance camera, sources in the state’s attorney’s office said it would have been impossible to prove who had initiated the violent exchange.

Those involved in the shootout have so far refused to help investigators.

Detectives initially sought murder and attempted murder charges against five suspects in the case.

Prosecutors said there wasn’t evidence to support those charges but asked police if they could provide gunshot residue or fingerprints that might connect the alleged shooters to guns that were later recovered for potential weapons charges, sources said.

Prosecutors were told by detectives at that time that they believed that testing for gunpowder and fingerprints was “futile” and deemed the request the same as “a rejection,” sources said. They told prosecutors “they were done with their investigation,” sources said.

However a law enforcement source said they believed they had presented enough evidence for possession of a stolen motor vehicle or unlawful use of a weapon charges and went to prosecutors to get the suspects locked up as soon as possible.

“We already had enough to charge, and for such violent offenders traditionally the urgency to get them off the street meant something,” the law enforcement source said.

Indeed, in the meeting Oct. 7 where Foxx and Lightfoot were present, police officials told the group that the additional evidence was still being processed. Although there was a “rush” put on analysis of the evidence collected after the shootout and sent to the Illinois State Police crime lab, the results aren’t back yet, the law enforcement source said.

That police had already made arrests also complicated prosecutors’ options at the time cops initially went to them.

“If you make an arrest, the clock starts ticking” on how long you can hold someone without charging, a source with the state’s attorney’s office said.

The suspects were subsequently let go.

A police spokesman declined to comment on the case, saying only that the investigation is ongoing.

Could charges be forthcoming?

But the evidence still being processed could potentially lead to charges against two alleged members of the Body Snatchers, sources said.

Investigators still expect the driver of a stolen Charger that fled the scene and later crashed in Oak Park after the shooting will face felony charges, because multiple guns were found inside the car, including an assault-style rifle, according to the law enforcement source.

That person could potentially be charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, that source said.

Another man that suspect dropped off at a hospital in Oak Park could also face similar gun-related charges, if his prints are detected on one of the weapons that were found and ballistic evidence at the scene matches, the source added.

“We’re still perfectly able to ask for charges again when new evidence comes in, and likely will,” the source said.

Contributing: Jon Seidel

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LaSheena Weekly, mother of Carlton Weekly, who performed as FBG Duck, held a news conference with family and friends near the scene of her son’s fatal shooting in the first block of East Oak Street in the Gold Coast, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file

A federal prosecutor said Tacarlos “Los” Offerd purchased the vehicle used as the “lead car” in the Aug. 4, 2020, murder one week earlier. That vehicle was then returned to the dealership in the suburbs less than an hour after the deadly shooting, he said.

A federal judge ordered the detention Friday of one of five alleged members of the O-Block street gang accused in a racketeering indictment of last year’s broad-daylight Gold Coast murder of rapper FBG Duck, which a prosecutor said is “on video.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien said Tacarlos “Los” Offerd, 30, purchased the vehicle used as the “lead car” in the Aug. 4, 2020, murder one week earlier. That vehicle was then returned to the dealership in the suburbs less than an hour after the deadly shooting, he said.

FBG Duck, whose real name was Carlton Weekly, was shot to death in the first block of East Oak Street as shoppers milled about. Julien said the rapper was shot at least 38 times, and two other people were also wounded.

The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m., and Julien said Offerd’s car was returned to the dealership, about a 50-minute drive away, around 5:30 p.m.

Julien also said the car was seen on police POD cameras and license plate readers.

An indictment unsealed this week charged Offerd and four others with murder in aid of racketeering. Offerd’s co-defendants are Charles “C Murda” Liggins, 30; Kenneth “Kenny” Roberson, 28; Christopher “C Thang” Thomas, 22; and Marcus “Muwop” Smart, 22.

Offerd, Liggins, Thomas and Smart were arrested early Wednesday morning. Attorneys for Liggins, Thomas and Smart have said they’d likely seek their clients’ release at a later time. Roberson was already in the custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections.

If convicted of the murder charge, the men face a minimum of life in prison and a potential death sentence. They are also charged with assaulting the two unnamed victims as well as firearm offenses.

John Somerville, Offerd’s defense attorney, argued during Friday’s detention hearing that prosecutors had offered “no evidence” that Offerd was involved in the crime.

“Mr. Offerd bought a car,” Somerville said. “Some unknown person was in his car. Some unknown person may have driven downtown.”

But U.S. Magistrate Judge David Weisman, who ordered Offerd detained, noted that a grand jury had already found probable cause to charge Offerd and the others in an indictment.

Julien also told the judge it appeared Offerd had lied to court personnel about his residence and employment status.

Police have said FBG Duck made “derogatory statements toward deceased members of the Black Disciples” on social media, a possible motive for his fatal shooting in the heart of the luxury shopping district on Oak Street.

FBG Duck associated with a faction of the Gangster Disciples street gang called Jaro City, which was based near 62nd Street and Vernon Avenue in West Woodlawn, police said at the time. But on social media, he identified himself as a member of the Gangster Disciples faction called STL/EBT, which is in the same area and mostly friendly with Jaro City.

Police also said last year there was a “high threat level” in an ongoing conflict between those Gangster Disciples and the O-Block faction of the Black Disciples from the Parkway Gardens apartments near 63rd Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

Odee Perry, a member of a Black Disciples faction in Parkway Gardens, was shot to death in 2011, and the faction was dubbed O-Block in his honor. Perry’s killing sparked a series of retaliatory shootings — including the 2014 murder of Gakirah Barnes, who police say was a female gang assassin for a Gangster Disciples faction in the neighborhood.

FBG Duck was also affiliated with the Fly Boy Gang, a group of rappers.

According to a Chicago Sun-Times story in 2017, his brother Jermaine Robinson was a rapper who went by FBG Brick. He and a friend, Stanley Mack, were shot to death in Woodlawn in July 2017.

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U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the best-known Republican in Illinois and the most vulnerable, is openly now looking at non-House options. | Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images

The new proposed map is designed to yield 14 Democratic and three GOP members of Congress from Illinois and will likely face court challenges.

Friday update

WASHINGTON — Democrats in the Illinois General Assembly released the proposed new congressional map on Friday, with the lines drawn to yield 14 Democratic and three Republican districts.

The current House delegation is made up of 13 Democrats and five Republicans. Illinois lost a seat because of population shifts reflected in the 2020 census.

The potential three-seat pickup for Democrats in the Illinois remap could determine whether Democrats, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, continue to control the House after the 2022 elections.

Pelosi at present holds onto the House with a Democrat margin as slim as three votes.

The Illinois Democrats, who control the state House, Senate and governorship, drew odd-shaped districts — referred to as gerrymandered districts — designed to sweep in Democratic strongholds and shed GOP turf.

It appears that Democrats did not use all the available partisan firepower, said David Wasserman, the remap expert with “The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.” “It’s both uglier and less effective for Democrats than expected,” he wrote. That may mean Democrats unwittingly created some potential swing districts rather than safe havens in 2022.

GOP Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis have said they may run for senator or governor if they determine there is no district where they have a chance to win.

Kinzinger, of Channahon, who carved out a national profile with his anti-Trump crusade, is in a district with freshman Democrat Marie Newman of LaGrange. The district has a Democratic edge. Kinzinger’s political problem is that he is a major target of the pro-Trump forces in the GOP and he would face a primary battle he may not survive no matter the district he picked to run in.

While the Democratic map draws separate districts for Republican Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Mike Bost of Murphysboro, Democrats did Davis no favor, drawing a snake-shaped district that slithers through central Illinois picking up Democratic turf.

Kinzinger, the best-known Republican in Illinois and the most vulnerable, is openly now looking at non-House options. “I have proudly served six terms in the U.S. House and it has been an honor to do so,” Kinzinger said in a statement. “Following the release of the new congressional maps for Illinois, my team and I will spend some time looking them over and reviewing all of the options, including those outside the House.”

In a statement, Davis said, “As expected, our lying governor teamed up with state Democrats to draw a shameful, partisan gerrymander in a desperate attempt to keep Nancy Pelosi in power. This proposed map, along with this entire redistricting process, is a complete joke. It’s clear Governor Pritzker and the Democrats will stoop to any low if it means they can keep their corrupt system going.”

LaHood said in a statement, “When I served in the Illinois State Senate, I was proud to support a Fair Maps redistricting process because Illinoisans have made it clear that they are tired of politicians picking their voters. Illinois Democrats and Governor Pritzker have shown with their proposed map that they care more about doing the bidding of Nancy Pelosi than giving Illinois voters fair representation in Washington. The proposed maps are a slap in the face to good governance everywhere. Illinois voters deserve much better than this non-transparent, corrupt process.”

In Illinois, a person does not have to live in a House district to run to represent it.

Freshman Rep. Mary Miller of Oakland, who has allied herself with the most controversial backers of former President Donald Trump, is thrown in the same district as Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria. Since this is a heavily GOP district, the primary will determine who goes to Washington.

Republican National Committee spokesman Preya Samsundar said in a statement, “The Illinois Democrats’ proposed congressional map is a joke. National Democrats who claim to fight gerrymandering have officially lost any credibility with folks in Illinois and around the country with their silence on today’s announcement.”

State House and Senate leaders will hold hearings on the proposed map next week with a vote by the end of the month.

After the legislative map was released, state lawmakers took feedback and revised some districts before the state House and Senate chambers voted on the final version and sent it to Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign.

The map shows three districts drawn to maximize the power of Black voters and one district to amplify Hispanic voting-age population strength — the same as the present map.

In a release, the House and Senate Redistricting Committees said the proposed map was “designed to comply with federal law and ensure the broad diversity of the state is reflected in the elected officials sent to represent Illinois in Washington, D.C.”

The map can be viewed at www.ilhousedems.com/redistricting and www.ilsenateredistricting.com.

Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez, D-Cicero, chairperson of the House Redistricting Committee, in a statement, called the proposed map “an excellent first draft that amplifies diverse voices and gives every person in our state a say in government.”

Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, vice chair of the Senate Redistricting Committee, said in a statement, “Population changes over the last decade meant many of the current districts were unbalanced. This proposed map is an effort to ensure every community across our state receives fair and equal representation in Washington.”

Here is the hearing schedule:

o House hearing: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 114

o Senate hearing: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the Illinois State Capitol, Room 212 (Virtual Hearing — participants may testify at the hearing location or via Zoom)

Thursday afternoon update:

WASHINGTON — A draft of the proposed new 17-district lllinois congressional map will be released on Friday, several Democratic House incumbents were told on Thursday by representatives of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside.

Several Democratic members were shown a map with only their own new district lines on Thursday. No member was permitted to see the entire map. The situation is a bit fluid and the timing of the release could change. What’s important is this: Illinois state Democrats drafted a map to maximize the election of Democrats to Congress.

The Chicago Sun-Times has learned the new congressional map, based on the 2020 Census, will be drawn to favor voters electing Democrats in 14 districts leaving only 3 where Republicans can easily win.

The current map, based on the 2010 Census has Illinois sending 13 Democrats and 5 Republicans to Congress.

There is only one Hispanic district on the proposed map, which must be approved by the Illinois General Assembly. There was a push to create two. The number of Black Districts will remain at three.

The state House and Senate are expected to vote on the map by the end of the month.

Wednesday’s report below…

WASHINGTON — A new congressional map drawn by Illinois Democratic state lawmakers will be unveiled in the coming days, with the revised district lines to determine the next move for GOP U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who is bolstered by strong third-quarter fundraising results.

The latest:

KINZINGER CASH HAUL: Kinzinger, the best-known Republican in Illinois, is also the most vulnerable because he and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., are the leading Republicans in Congress willing to speak out against former President Donald Trump’s lies, election denials and embrace of conspiracy theories. While being a national leader of the non-Trump wing of the GOP has raised his profile and fundraising ability, it also means it will be very difficult for him to win a GOP primary for a House seat in Illinois — no matter what the new Democratic-designed map looks like.

For the third quarter — covering July, August and September — Kinzinger raised $957,177 for his two political committees, the Sun-Times has learned. He took in $562,355 for his reelection war chest and $394,822 for his Future First Leadership PAC, used to bankroll his “Country First” drive to build a movement to break Trump’s grip on the Republican Party.

Kinzinger has $3.3 million cash on hand just for his reelection campaign. What is noteworthy about the haul is that Kinzinger raised the cash mainly through direct mail and digital appeals — not big events with headliners. That is a sign of strength.

What will Kinzinger do? He’d like to stay in the House. “His intention is to run,” said spokeswoman Maura Gillespie, who added, “We’ll have to see what the map shows, and then we can review his options.”

Third quarter fundraising results must be reported to the Federal Election Commission by Oct. 15.

DUCKWORTH 3Q HAUL: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is running for a second term in 2022 and so far no brand-name Republican is challenging her. Kinzinger has said in past months he would consider a Senate or governor run, depending on the map.

Her campaign announced Wednesday it raised more than $1.8 million in the third quarter, with nearly $5.8 million cash on hand.

NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP: Staffers for Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, have been holding one-on-one “listening sessions” with the 13 Illinois House Democrats to gather their input for their district lines. The new map will be out any day now with a vote in Springfield by the end of October.

My sources are telling me the Democratic House members are talking to the state folks hat in hand with requests for their “ideal” districts.

While Illinois will have to lose a seat due to reapportionment based on the 2020 census — from 18 seats to 17 — it’s not bad from a Democratic perspective.

Though you will hear Democratic state lawmakers talk a lot about a “fair” map, the real deal is this: Democrats are drawing the new lines to maximize Democratic opportunities.

Dave Wasserman, the remap expert at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter who has drawn sample maps using new census data, wrote Republicans could end up losing two seats: “Dems could replace the current 13D-5R map with a 14D-3R map — and they might need to to have any chance of holding the House majority.”

The most endangered Democrat, Rep. Lauren Underwood, will get a district shifted south, adding more Black Democrat voters and subtracting heavy GOP turf around McHenry County.

If Kinzinger’s district disappears, it’s recognition that with Trumpism alive in Illinois, Kinzinger will have a primary fight no matter the map. Downstate GOP strongholds will become packed with more Republicans to free up Democratic precincts.

Though the map has to pass the Illinois General Assembly, Pritzker will need to sign off on it, which is why chief of staff Anne Capara and deputy governors Andy Manar and Christian Mitchell have been part of the listening sessions.

BLACK AND HISPANIC DISTRICTS: The issue here is how Democratic voters in Chicago, the collar counties and a bit further out will be allocated.

State mapmakers want to keep the three districts drawn under the Civil Rights Act to amplify the power of Black voters, with the job made harder because of a decrease in the Black voting-age population. That means that districts for U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, Bobby Rush and Danny Davis may be in for some redesign with ripple impacts on other Democratic incumbents.

At present there is one Hispanic district, represented by U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. At a public Senate Redistricting Committee hearing on Tuesday, Frank Calabrese, speaking on behalf of Latino elected officials, made the argument that Hispanic population gains justify a second district drawn to maximize the Hispanic vote.

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Chicago House AC will be on the road this weekend as they visit the Maryland Soccerplex for the first time to take on Maryland Bobcats FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM CST. The House is coming off back-to-back wins against San Diego 1904 FC following a 1-0 result last Saturday at SeatGeek Stadium. The Maryland Bobcats FC lost 4-0 on the road to New Amsterdam FC last weekend.

The House is in 8th place in the NISA fall table with 11 points, while Maryland Bobcats FC is in 9th place, sitting on 9 points. Chicago’s NISA club will be looking to extend their win streak to a third match and keep moving up the NISA fall table as we are past the season’s midway point.

Many players and coaches have expressed optimism and belief that they can keep this winning momentum going. Chicago House AC forward Nazeem Bartman discussed how hard he has worked since recovery from injury and shares how grateful he is to make it back to being on the pitch.

“It’s been a tough process mentally and physically, but I have a great support system from the team and my teammates,” said Bartman. “Right now, it’s just going up, and I’m improving every single day, and that’s all I can ask for is to get better every single day and take care of my body.”

Midfielder Ian Cerro shared CJ’s message at training this week as they prepare for Maryland Bobcats FC.

“To keep the same mentality every day and take it day by day,” said Cerro. “How we want to play in the game, we got to do at practice. So all set from the training ground, and now we keep pushing.”

Head Coach and Technical Director C.J. Brown expressed how special it was to finally win a match at SeatGeek Stadium in front of the House supporters.

“I was very excited for the players,” said Coach Brown. “They’ve been training and working hard to show the fans and give the fans what they wanted. We’ve gone into every game trying to win, and we go out on the road to good performances for our fans that are watching. Coming back after a road trip with a win and getting another win back to back at home against the same opponent [1904 FC] is difficult when you play back to back like that. Credit to the players for their focus, hard work, and what a goal that was to score at home in front of the fans and thought that was really impressive. The fans deserve it because they’ve been sticking through it from the beginning of the season, and we’re just happy to give them something they’ve been wanting.”

Coach Brown also gave his perspective on how it’s crucial to keep this winning momentum going into Saturday’s match.

“Most important is to be who we are,” said Coach Brown. “We’re not going to change in pace and physical play. If we are good with the ball and have good soccer ideas, we should be able to stick to any game. Maryland Bobcats FC presents a different threat for us because they’re a very narrow team down the middle, and they have more athleticism that we will have to deal with. If we can get a hold of the ball and move it around, we can make it challenging for them. It’s a road game, so we got to be smart and play the game that’s going to play in our hands, so we’re not chasing the game all day.”

Be patient with the ball
Stay disciplined defensively
Bring the energy
Chicago House AC Injury Report

Stefan Mijatovic – Injured

The match will start at 7:30 PM ET/6:30 PM CT at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, Maryland. Fans can tune in live by visiting www.chicagohouseac.com/watch-live. For team updates and information, please follow the team’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @ChicagoHouse_AC for live updates and fan reactions. Enjoy the match. #OurCityOurHouse

ABOUT Chicago House AC

Founded in 2020, Chicago House Athletic Club is a community-based professional soccer team that plays its home matches at the 20,000 capacity SeatGeek Stadium at 71st and Harlem in Bridgeview, Illinois. The team competes in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA,) a U.S. Soccer sanctioned third division league. Led by Managing Partner, President & CEO Peter Wilt, Chicago House AC is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) committed to using its platform for social justice, diversity, equality, inclusion and community improvement. The club’s name is a tribute to House Music, which was created in Chicago in the early 1980’s. Fans can help #BuildTheHouse by purchasing tickets at www.chicagohouseac.com/tickets or by calling our Ticket Sales Team at (312) 444-0976. For more information on Chicago House AC, please visit www.chicagohouseac.com and follow the club on social media @ChicagoHouse_AC. Our City, Our House.

ABOUT NISA

The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 with a mission to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. A pro league member of U.S. Soccer, NISA focuses on a model based on meritocracy, independent clubs controlling their own league, clubs owning their intellectual property, all without the barrier of territorial rights. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation, NISA also runs the mid-summer pro-am Independent Cup tournament, the year-long amateur league NISA Nation, and NISA Media.

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Naperville North High School | Sun-Times file photo

School officials and police wouldn’t disclose what was said in the threat, which police said was sent by voicemail to the school.

Naperville North High School sent students home early Friday after the west suburban campus received its second threat in a month.

“My heart is broken to alert you to a soft lockdown of the building with no movement to and from the building,” principal Stephanie Posey said in a message to students and families shortly after 9 a.m.

An hour later, Posey said students would be sent home early.

Friday afternoon, school officials said students and staff were safe and that Friday’s football game would be held and the homecoming dance would be held Saturday night.

School officials and police wouldn’t disclose what was said in the threat, which police said was sent by voicemail to the school.

“We’re hoping this incident gets wrapped up shortly,” Naperville police spokesman Michaus Williams said Friday morning, adding that the decision for early dismissal was made by the school.

The threat comes less than a month after another threat shut down the school. A bomb threat was emailed to the school before classes Sept. 22, prompting an evacuation and cancellation of after-school activities.

Police have made no arrest in that case and the investigation is ongoing, Williams said.

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LaSheena Weekly, mother of Carlton Weekly, who performed as FBG Duck, held a news conference with family and friends near the scene of her son’s fatal shooting in the first block of East Oak Street in the Gold Coast, Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file

A federal prosecutor said Tacarlos “Los” Offerd purchased the vehicle used as the “lead car” in the Aug. 4, 2020, murder one week earlier. That vehicle was then returned to the dealership in the suburbs less than an hour after the deadly shooting, he said.

A federal judge ordered the detention Friday of one of five alleged members of the O-Block street gang accused in a racketeering indictment of last year’s broad-daylight Gold Coast murder of rapper FBG Duck, which a prosecutor said is “on video.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Julien said Tacarlos “Los” Offerd, 30, purchased the vehicle used as the “lead car” in the Aug. 4, 2020, murder one week earlier. That vehicle was then returned to the dealership in the suburbs less than an hour after the deadly shooting, he said.

FBG Duck, whose real name was Carlton Weekly, was shot to death in the first block of East Oak Street as shoppers milled about. Julian said the rapper was shot “at least 38 times,” and two other people were also wounded.

The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m., and Julian said Offerd’s car was returned to the dealership, about a 50-minute drive away, around 5:30 p.m.

Julian also said the car was seen on police pod cameras and license plate readers.

An indictment unsealed this week charged Offerd and four others with murder in aid of racketeering. Offerd’s co-defendants are Charles “C Murda” Liggins, 30; Kenneth “Kenny” Roberson, 28; Christopher “C Thang” Thomas, 22; and Marcus “Muwop” Smart, 22.

Offerd, Liggins, Thomas and Smart were arrested early Wednesday morning. Attorneys for Liggins, Thomas and Smart have said they’d likely seek their clients’ release at a later time. Roberson was already in the custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections.

If convicted of the murder charge, the men face a minimum of life in prison and a potential death sentence. They are also charged with assaulting the two unnamed victims as well as firearm offenses.

John Somerville, Offerd’s defense attorney, argued during Friday’s detention hearing that prosecutors had offered “no evidence” that Offerd was involved in the crime.

“Mr. Offerd bought a car,” Somerville said. “Some unknown person was in his car. Some unknown person may have driven downtown.”

But U.S. Magistrate Judge David Weisman, who ordered Offerd detained, noted that a grand jury had already found probable cause to charge Offerd and the others in an indictment.

Julian also told the judge it appeared Offerd had lied to court personnel about his residence and employment status.

Police have said FBG Duck made “derogatory statements toward deceased members of the Black Disciples” on social media, a possible motive for his fatal shooting in the heart of the luxury shopping district on Oak Street.

FBG Duck associated with a faction of the Gangster Disciples street gang called Jaro City, which was based near 62nd Street and Vernon Avenue in West Woodlawn, police said at the time. But on social media, he identified himself as a member of the Gangster Disciples faction called STL/EBT, which is in the same area and mostly friendly with Jaro City.

Police also said last year there was a “high threat level” in an ongoing conflict between those Gangster Disciples and the O-Block faction of the Black Disciples from the Parkway Gardens apartments near 63rd Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

Odee Perry, a member of a Black Disciples faction in Parkway Gardens, was shot to death in 2011, and the faction was dubbed O-Block in his honor. Perry’s killing sparked a series of retaliatory shootings — including the 2014 murder of Gakirah Barnes, who police say was a female gang assassin for a Gangster Disciples faction in the neighborhood.

FBG Duck was also affiliated with the Fly Boy Gang, a group of rappers.

According to a Chicago Sun-Times story in 2017, his brother Jermaine Robinson was a rapper who went by FBG Brick. He and a friend, Stanley Mack, were shot to death in Woodlawn in July 2017.

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Us Chicagonians love our pizzas, that’s for sure! So, how could you miss out on National Pizza Month? Yes, we’re talking the entire October! Below are an extensive list of all the best pizza joints across Chicago. Most of these places also have vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options, and can accommodate to your special dietary requests.

Pair your pizza with some wings, mozzarella sticks, and a nice cold beer. It’s fall back and relax!

205 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607

PB&J offers the best Neapolitan pizza and draft beer in town, as well as favorite jams from their state-of-the-art jukebox powered by TouchTunes. Diners can indulge in specialty pizzas such as the Elote Pizza, Burrata & Balsamic Pizza, and the Loaded Baked Potato featuring Ricotta Bechamel, Sliced Potatoes, Bacon, American Cheese, and Chives. PB&J’s fantastic Happy Hour takes place Tuesday – Thursday from 3-6pm with half price pizzas and select specialty cocktails.

3335 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Nestled in the heart of Northalsted, diners can enjoy specialty flatbreads from Chef Devin Kreller at the six-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner, Wood. Such as The Hot Italian Flatbread featuring smoked san marzano sauce, parmesan, house hot italian sausage, ricotta, giardiniera, pickled fresno peppers, castelvetrano olives. Diners can also order the Mushroom & Onion Flatbread featuring creamy mornay sauce, caramelized onions, glazed mushrooms, baby arugula, and grand cru alpine cheese.

4850 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632

You can’t NOT talk about Angelo’s if you want to try the best, most authentic deep dish pizza in Chicago. Their original stuffed crust is a Chicago icon. We recently tried the garlic parmesan stuffed crust, and it was absolutely mind-blowing. Angelo’s also have think crust pizza, wings, and other appetizers. If you’re a light eater, try one of their healthy salads. Mark our words: this place is heaven on earth for pizza lovers.

620 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Osteria Via Stato features thin, Roman-style pies coming right out of their wood-fire oven. Try the Crispy Pepperoni, the Margherita with crushed San Marzano tomatoes, hand-pulled mozzarella and basil or the revolving “pizza of the month” like Butternut Squash and Sage or Heirloom Tomato.  The pizzas are available in the dining room, pizzeria and heated private greenhouses as well as available for delivery and carryout.

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

1769 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

What is one pizza spot that almost all veteran pizza tasters would give a thumbs-up for? Spacca Napoli Pizzeria. It is safe to say this place is one of the best pizza joints way beyond Chicago area alone. If you’re looking for authentic Neopolitan style in Chicago, Spacca is te only place you need to go.

Pequod’s Pizza

2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Cheesy, juicy, fresh sauce, and full of toppings. A deep dish from Pequod’s Pizza is all we can ask for on a gloomy cold day. And don’t be driven away by the slight burnt on their crust because the look says nothing. Put it in your mouth and you’ll understand what perfection means. You gotta make the pan crust crispy, after all!

601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

Saranello’s serves an array of Roman-Style pizzas that are crisp and delicious. You’ve got to try the White Pizza topped with shaved mushrooms, robiola cheese, arugula and finished with truffle oil. The pizzas can also be offered on gluten-free crust by request.

145 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60602

Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri offers craveable, instant classics at The Dearborn. Leaning into the “tavern” in their name, Cuschieri offers a new assortment of Chicago tavern-style pizzas with creative toppings, including a brunch pizza on weekends. Diners can indulge in pizzas such as Prosciutto & Fried Egg featuring truffle bianca sauce, saba, arugula, fontina cheese, and chili flakes. Other options include the Volpi Pepperoni & Fresh Mozzarella featuring classic house-made Pomodoro sauce, Midwest pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, fontina, and parmesan cheese.

340 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Broaden horizons on National Pizza Month with Nonnina’s Leek & Mushroom pizza. Triangle cut and made to be folded, each slice is topped with Leek Confit, Wild Mushrooms, Black Truffle, Tomini and a little fiori di latte to bring all the flavors home. Classics like Nonnina’s Margherita — Local Mozzarella, San Marzano Tomato and Torn Basil — and their Four Cheese pizza with Gorgonzola, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan, Pistachio, Honey and a dash of Extra Virgin Olive Oil are on the menu, too, so there’s something the whole family will enjoy. Order now through Toast, Caviar, DoorDash, Uber Eats, or GrubHub by visiting www.nonninachicago.com.

150 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601

This classic Chicago landmark has returned just in time for Broadway season, with the kitchen now headed by the renowned Executive Chef Ozzy Amelotti. Petterino’s proudly serves three styles of Pizzetta’s for National Pizza month. Order a water because the Trenton New Jersey Style boasts Imported Mozzarella de Buffala from Campania, Cherry Tomato, Pomodoro and Chili Flake for some spice between bites. Petterino’s Prosciutto pizzetta is crisped and topped with Asiago, Besciamella, Truffle Oil and Micro Basil, which may seem small, but packs a punch with each bite. The Artichoke and Arugula pie is covered in Rose Sauce and Parmigiano Reggiano and guaranteed to create a chef kiss around the table.

838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60642

The pizza at Recess is so special that it comes with a name — Bob’s Pizza. Eight different styles of pizza adorn the menu at Recess, so there’s something for all pizza lovers. Bob’s Sausage features the best Italian Sausage in Chicago tucked together with a Tomato Sauce, House Blended Cheese, Thyme and Pickled Onions. While on the topic of pickles, Bob’s Pickle pie comes with Mortadella, Garlic Cream,  Dill Pickles and Fresh Herbs. Be like Popeye and order the Spinach Pesto and Stracciatella for Prosciutto, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Baby Arugula and lovely Lemon — and it can be made completely vegetarian by request.

35 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Skip the traffic to Detroit and head to Oakbrook instead for Chef Bill Kim’s amazing Mini Detroit Style Pizza. The pie comes in a classic Detroit brick topped with Cheese, Tomato Sauce and Asian Giardiniera. Who would have thought a Chicago chef can make such an incredible Detroit-style pizza? The best part is the pizza is completely vegetarian.

221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Experience farm-to-table dining in the heart of Downtown Chicago at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar. The acclaimed American grill concept, known for its wood-fired cooking, offers a menu featuring the Midwest’s best meat, freshwater fish, and produce. To celebrate national pizza month on a lighter note, diners can enjoy Executive Chef Leonard Ventura’s Margherita Flatbread made with heirloom tomato, mozzarella di bufala and basil, the Rotisserie Chicken Flatbread featuring barbecue rotisserie chicken, green onion and jack cheese or a Fennel Sausage Flatbread with aged mozzarella, roasted garlic, spicy tomato sauce. Steps from Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, FireLake is an inviting showcase for the excellent food and welcoming spirit that define our city.

Featured Image Credit: Osteria Via Stato

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